Waste Management Authority's convenience center in Peter's Rest. Photo Credit: V.I. CONSORTIUM
ST. CROIX — The V.I. Waste Management Authority on Tuesday announced what it says will be the temporary suspension of house-to-house collection of waste on St. Croix, effective immediately until further notice.
The authority said it is currently drafting request for proposals for waste collection services based on recommendations from the Office of Inspector General’s recent audit, and that it will reinstate house-to-house collection on St. Croix once new contracts have been awarded. It was not clear how long it would take the authority to move from drafting RFPs to publishing them, selecting contractors and coming to an agreement.
The latest audit from the V.I. Office of the Inspector General, issued on Feb. 9, covered years 2017 through 2020 and found that WMA expended at least $15,593,860 without ensuring that it obtained the best price for services. That's because the authority did not always follow its procurement policy requiring competitive bidding; in some cases operated its solid waste collection services with expired contracts and verbal/informal agreements; continued at least ten contracts on a month-to-month bases up to six years after contracts had expired; and received services from at least two vendors based on verbal/informal agreements, according to the audit.
WMA urged residents during that period to take household waste to the following solid waste disposal facilities: Anguilla Landfill, Peter’s Rest Convenience Center, Mon Bijou, Concordia, or Cotton Valley bin sites.
The authority apologized for any inconvenience this may cause.
WMA also asked residents to call 844-WMA-USVI (844-962-8784) to report illegal dumping, sewage overflow or service interruption.
For more information, contact the Division of Education and Communications Management at 340-513-4171 or email [email protected].
Advertisements
